Joe Nedney kicks a field goal in overtime to give the 49ers a 23-20 win over the Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Joe Nedney kicks a field goal in overtime to give the 49ers a 23-20...

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49ers teammates celebrate with Joe Nedney after he kicked the game-winning field goal in overtime to give the 49ers a 23-20 win over the Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers teammates celebrate with Joe Nedney after he kicked the...

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Troy Smith rushes up to Michael Crabtree in the end zone after Crabtree's touchdown catch in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Troy Smith rushes up to Michael Crabtree in the end zone after...

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Sam Bradford hands off to Steven Jackson in the third quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

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Sam Bradford hands off to Steven Jackson in the third quarter at...

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Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis celebrate Davis' catch in the end zone late in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday. The touchdown was nullified by a penalty.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis celebrate Davis' catch in the end zone...

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49ers head coach Mike Singletary and special teams coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer watch the game against the Rams in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers head coach Mike Singletary and special teams coordinator Kurt...

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49ers teammates rush in to celebrate with Michael Crabtree after his fourth quarter touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers teammates rush in to celebrate with Michael Crabtree after...

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Parys Haralson sacks Sam Bradford in the second quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Parys Haralson sacks Sam Bradford in the second quarter at...

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Sam Bradford throws in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

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Sam Bradford throws in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in...

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Rams quarterback Sam Bradford under pressure from the 49ers' Ray McDonald in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford under pressure from the 49ers' Ray...

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Josh Morgan breaks a tackle by the Rams' Craig Dahl on his 65-yard catch and run in the first quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Josh Morgan breaks a tackle by the Rams' Craig Dahl on his 65-yard...

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Josh Morgan celebrates his 65-yard reception with teammates in the first quarter against the Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday. The catch led to a touchdown by Frank Gore.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Josh Morgan celebrates his 65-yard reception with teammates in the...

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Dominique Zeigler congratulates Frank Gore after Gore caught a 23-yard pass on fourth and 18 to keep the 49ers' drive alive late in the fourth quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Dominique Zeigler congratulates Frank Gore after Gore caught a...

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Parys Haralson, left, and Patrick Willis celebrate a sack of Sam Bradford in the second quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Parys Haralson, left, and Patrick Willis celebrate a sack of Sam...

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Delanie Walker claps after a flag was thrown for pass interference in overtime on a throw intended for him at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Delanie Walker claps after a flag was thrown for pass interference...

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Frank Gore tries to break away from James Hall after a short run in overtime at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

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Frank Gore tries to break away from James Hall after a short run in...

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Travis La Boy, left, and Justin Smith celebrate after Smith sacked Rams quarterback Sam Bradford for a loss of 8 yards in overtime at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Travis La Boy, left, and Justin Smith celebrate after Smith sacked...

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Tony Wragge celebrates after Joe Nedney kicked a field goal in overtime to give the 49ers a 23-20 win over the Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Tony Wragge celebrates after Joe Nedney kicked a field goal in...

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Sam Bradford is sacked by Patrick Willis, who forced a fumble in the first quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday. The ball was recovered by the Rams.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Sam Bradford is sacked by Patrick Willis, who forced a fumble in...

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Frank Gore tries to break away from Rams defenders during the fourth quarter after a 30-yard run at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Frank Gore tries to break away from Rams defenders during the...

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Michael Crabtree reacts to his fourth quarter touchdown against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Michael Crabtree reacts to his fourth quarter touchdown against the...

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Troy Smith throws under pressure from Chris Long in overtime at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday. Pass interference was called on the play, and the 49ers advanced to the Rams' 23-yard line.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Troy Smith throws under pressure from Chris Long in overtime at...

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Vernon Davis is pushed out of bounds after a 32-yard catch in the first quarter against the Rams at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Vernon Davis is pushed out of bounds after a 32-yard catch in the...

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Patrick Willis celebrates after stopping Steven Jackson in the fourth quarter for no gain at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

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Patrick Willis celebrates after stopping Steven Jackson in the...

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Ahmad Brooks tackles Steven Jackson in the third quarter at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sunday.

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Ahmad Brooks tackles Steven Jackson in the third quarter at...

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49ers kicker, Joe Nedney watches as his second quarter field goal go through the uprights. The San Francisco 49ers played the St. Louis Rams at Candelstick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers kicker, Joe Nedney watches as his second quarter field goal...

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49ers kicker, Joe Nedney watches as his extra point attempt goes through the uprights in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the St. Louis Rams at Candelstick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

49ers kicker, Joe Nedney watches as his extra point attempt goes...

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49ers quarterback Troy Smith throws downfield in the fourth quarter. The San Francisco 49ers played the St. Louis Rams at Candelstick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, November 14, 2010.

Niners kicker Joe Nedney sent a big "I love you" sign to his wife in the Candlestick Park crowd Sunday. The rest of the crowd joined Gina in sending Nedney back a big "I love you, too."

Nedney kicked a 29-yard field goal - planting with a sprained right knee - to deliver the 49ers a 23-20 overtime victory over the Rams.

After Nedney hugged coach Mike Singletary, he made an inscrutable signal toward the stands that he later explained was his traditional love sign to his wife.

"Years and years ago, we'd give each other a big 'I love you' sign," he said. "She's been getting a little upset because I've been shirking my duties lately. I had to make sure I pointed her out and gave her one."

Nedney's 20th career game-winning field goal came with a slight limp. He sprained his right, non-kicking knee on the game-opening kickoff.

He described it as a "sniper shot," as in it felt as if a sniper nailed him as he ran down the field. It hurt enough that Nedney was announced as questionable to return.

Instead, he shook it off and kicked a season-high three field goals, telling the coaching staff he was good for anything inside the 35-yard line. With his 129th field goal as a 49er, he moved into third place on the team's all-time list.